Improvement in car-couplings



H. E. MAR CHAN D.

Car-Couplings.

Patented March 25, 1873.

AM PHOTOLITHI/GRAPHIC m Nflmsomvsle PRacEss.)

UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY E. MAROHAND, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters PatentNo. 137,225, dated March 25,1873.

. State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsin Oar-Gouplin g,

p of which the following is a specification:

' The invention consists, first, of an arm or trigger stepped into arecess or seat formed in the bottom of the draw-head, and capable ofvibrating forward from a vertical position by its own gravity, so as tocause its upper end to engage with a shoulder on the coupling-pin whenthe latter is in an elevated position, for supporting the same until theconnecting-link of an opposite car enters the draw-head, when thetrigger is retracted or disengaged from the coupling-pin, thuspermitting the descent of the same through the link, which accomplishesthe coupling operation. The second part of the invention consists of anotched couplingpin provided with an enlarged lower end and with lateralribs, to operate in respectto ways or grooves formed in the draw-head incombination with a ring for maintaining the coup ling-pin in an elevatedposition, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal view, representingthe devices in position for coupling. Fig. 2 is a corresponding view,illustrating the position of the various parts when the couplingoperation is accomplished. Fig.3 is a longitudinal section, showin g theform of couplin g-pin, 850.

The draw-head A is generally formed in one piece, and may be made ofcast-iron, steel, or malleable iron, and, for the sake of lightness andconvenience, be formed with open sides. The couplin g-pin B,whichoperates or slides vertically through the draw-head, passes through anopening, 0, formed in the top of the latter, and is provided with ribs Don its sides, which enter corresponding grooves or ways formed in theside walls of the pin-opening. The lower end of the coupling-pin isenlarged laterally, or provided with ribs, and has a portion of its rearsurface cut away to form a shoulder, G, for the purpose hereinafterstated. A vibrating trigger-arm, H, is arranged in the draw-head, andhas its lower end inserted or stepped in a seat, I, in the floor or baseof the draw-head, immediately in rear of the coupling-pin. The

elevating the pin B until it reaches the limit of its upward movement,when the triggerarm, by its inherent gravity, which causes it to alwaysassume a position forward of its center, will engage with the shoulderedrear end G of the coupling-pin, as shown in Fig.

1. The coupling-link of an opposite car, upon its entrance into thedraw-head, will, by its impact against the trigger-arm, force'the samebackward, thus removing the support of a coup ling-pin, the descent ofwhich is thus permitted through the opening N in the floor of thedraw-head at the same time the lip R on the coupling-link will enter therecess or seat I,

which prevents the backward movement of the link when it comes incontact with the triggerarm H, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper end of thetrigger-arm will, in its backward movement, enter the slot in the top ofthe drawhead, the rear end of which then acts as a stop for limiting themovement of the trigger beyond a vertical position. If it is desirableto elevate the coupling-pin and retain it in a position to prevent acoupling being made, I provide a pivoted latch, 0, consisting of a linkpassing through an eye in front of the opening in the top of thedraw-head, and adapted to engage with a notch or groove, Q, in the frontface of the coupling-pin, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1. Each link isprovided with a projecting heel or lip, R, at the rear en d,

which, when the link is pushed into the drawhead, enters an opening, S,formed in the floor Y of the latter, near its rear end, while the frontend of the link is received into a curved seat at the mouth of thedraw-head, thus causing the auxiliary link to lie secure in thedrawhead, while not offering any impediment to the proper movement ofthe link used for coupling.

It will be perceived, from the above description, that it is impossibleto withdraw the cou a p 7 ames ling-pin through the top of thedraw-head, and it is therefore obvious that the same must be insertedthrough the lower opening, which is made sufficientlylarge for thispurpose,a suitable ring or link, U, being then applied to the upper endof the pin for limiting the descent of the same and for facilitating theascent of the pin.

The automatic mechanism for effecting the coupling operation is simpleand compact 5 and, as no fulcrum-pin, rivets, or such devices for thetrigger-arm or coupling-link is resorted to, all the parts aresusceptible of being readily applied and detached.

It will be seen from the construction and arran gement of thetrigger-arm H and couplingpin, that when the cars are coupled, and in aforward motion, the trigger-arm bears a great portion of the strain,thus relieving the coupling-pin.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The trigger-arm H, provided with shoulders and a tenon, K, asdescribed, and having its bearing within the seat I for operation inconnection with the coupling-pinB and alink, substantially as described.

2. The notched oouplingpin 13 provided with an enlarged shouldered end,G, and with lateral ribs D to operate in respect to ways or grooves in adraw-head, in combination with a pivoted ring, 0, substantially as andfor the purpose herein described.

- In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set myhandthis 5th day of March, 1873.

HENRY E. MAROHAND.

Witnesses:

J AMES L. NORRIS, Emr. F. BROWN.

